# Meatless Orange Chicken Impossible & Noodles & Company Join Forces to Launch Vegan Orange Chicken By Grace Mahas | Published 2022-03-18 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meatless-orange-chicken References: [vegnews](https://vegnews.com/2022/3/impossible-meatless-orange-chicken-noodles-and-co)  As more consumers opt to follow a plant-based diet, [Impossible Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/impossible-chicken-nuggets-1) is setting itself apart in a new partnership with Noddles & Company with the launch of meatless orange chicken. Impossible Panko Chicken, the chain's first plant-based protein option, can be added to any dish. Also on the menu is the Impossible Orange Chicken Lo Mein, a vegan version of a popular dish already on offer at [Noodles & Company](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-impossible-panko-chicken). It is crusted with panko crumbs. The chain's partnership with Impossible Foods aligns with its desire to offer innovative products to its guests, including vegetable-centric noodles and "LEANguini" (a linguini pasta it developed with fewer carbs). In addition to reducing its carbon footprint, [Noodle & Company](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steak-stroganoff) wants to introduce a more eco-friendly alternative to animal meat. “Our guests took so well to Zoodles, Caulifloodles, and our upcoming LEANguini launch, that adding a delicious plant-based protein option to our menu was the clear next move to explore,” Nick Graff, Executive Chef and Vice President of Culinary at Noodles & Company, said in a statement. “When selecting a partner to test our first-ever plant-based protein, Impossible Foods was an easy choice. Like Noodles [& Company], Impossible believes that the future starts with your plate and we’re moving forward [to bring about] change one meal at a time.” Image Credit: Impossible Foods, Noodle & Company ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.7/10 - Popularity: 2% | Activity: 7% | Freshness: 11% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Plant-based Meats:** Impossible Foods is leading the way by partnering with various restaurant chains to offer meatless alternatives to popular meat-based dishes. - **Innovative Menu Offerings:** Partnering with companies such as Impossible Foods allows for the creation of unique and creative menu offerings for a loyal customer base. - **Sustainability:** Offering plant-based options is a sustainable choice that can result in a smaller carbon footprint for restaurant chains and promote positive environmental change. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fast-casual Restaurants:** Fast-casual restaurants have the most to gain from offering plant-based options, as consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability and ethical food choices. - **Plant-based Food Production:** Companies that produce plant-based proteins and meat alternatives are set to experience growth as more restaurants and food businesses seek to cater to plant-based diets. - **Eco-friendly Restaurant Innovation:** Utilizing innovative plant-based proteins and meat alternatives are just one of the many ways restaurant chains can prioritize eco-friendliness in their operations and create opportunities for positive environmental change. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Plant-Based Breaded Chicken](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-impossible-panko-chicken.md) - [Meatless Pork Noodle Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chinese-noodle-kit.md) - [Plant-Based Chicken Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beyond-the-original-orange.md) - [Vegan Chicken Nugget Alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/impossible-chicken-nuggets-1.md) - [Plant-Based Nugget Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/impossible-nug-life-sando.md) - [Piquant Plant-Based Chicken Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/impossible-foods-products.md) - [Kid-Friendly Plant-Based Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/impossible-foods-product.md) - [Meatless Alternative Raviolis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buitoni-impossible-foods.md) - [Frozen Plant-Based Entrees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/impossible-bowls.md)